Embossing process



Aug. 10, 1965 w. s. EDMONDSON EMBOSSING PROCESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledApril 12, 1962 INVENTOR. 'W'ILL/AM S.E'ouo-0sa- BY I JM WWW? A T TORNEY5 Aug. 10, .1965 w. s. EDMONDSON EMBOSSING PROCESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed April 12 1962 .A T TORNEYS United States Patent 3,200,025Ell/BOSSING PRGCESS William S. Edmondson, 4100 Abbott Ave. 5.,Minneapolis, Minn. Filed Apr. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 187,105 1 Claim. (Cl.156-209) My invention relates generally to the art of embossing and moreparticularly to the art of embossing flexible sheet material.

Still more specifically my invention relates to embossing metalfoil-covered sheets of paper stock and the like and has for its primaryobject the provision of a method whereby an appearance of antiquity maybe imparted to such embossed sheets.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a method of thetype immediately above described in which the embossed product is highlyeffective and the method of producing same relatively inexpensive topractice.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a method ofthe type above set forth which requires a minimum of skill andinstruction.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed specification, appended claims and attacheddrawings.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate the invention, and whereinlike reference characters indicate like parts or elements throughout theseveral views:

FIG. 1 is a view in top plan of an embossing die of the type utilizablein the practice of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view in perspective showing the components whichmake up the impression sheet of my invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of the embossing die with myimpression sheet overlying same and about to receive pressure from acooperating press;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section taken through aportion of the die impression sheet and the press of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view in plan of the end product of my invention; and

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary detail of the lower right handcorner of FIG. 5.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral 1indicates generally a conventional embossing die utilizable in thepractice of my invention. Embossing die 1 is preferably cast from anysuitable metal, the design thereof being created by a network ofupstanding ribs 2 and intervening flat surfaces 3.

In the formation of an impression sheet 4 for use in cooperation withthe embossing die 1, in the practicing of my invention, I adhere arelatively thin flexible sheet of metal foil 5, such as copper foil, toa relatively rigid backing sheet 6 which may well be formed from paperstock. The coating of adhesive, identified by the numeral 7, may be ofany given form, and insofar as this invention is concerned, both liquidand paste-like adhesives are treated as being liquid and fluid innature. In any event while the adhesive coating 7 is still in asemiplastic condition, so as to permit of relative, though limited,movement of one ply 5, 6 with respect to the other, I place theimpression sheet 4 (a composite of elements 5, 6 and 7) in overlyingrelationship to the 3,200,025 Patented Aug. 10, 1965 'ice embossing die1, with the metallic ply 5 in direct engagement with the design of theembossing die I sought to be reproduced.

With the embossing die 1 and impression sheet 4 in the relationshipimmediately above described, I force the impression sheet 4 against thedie 1 by means of a compressible pad or press, identified in itsentirety by the numeral 8. Preferably and as shown, the pad 8 comprisesa relatively rigid backing member 9 and a facing plate 10 formed fromsuitable material such as rubber. As shown particularly in FIG. 6, anddue apparently solely to the fact that the adhesive layer 7 is still ina semi-plastic state, a stretching of the metallic foil ply 5 resultsimmediately adjacent the channels 11 formed by the design-forming ribs2. This stretching, due to the extreme pressures, manifests itself in aplurality of Wrinkles or rugae 12 immediately adjacent said channels 11whereas the areas of the metal foil ply 5 which are spaced from saidchannels 11 remain perfectly smooth. This is highly desirable increating an appearance of antiquity, particularly where highlighting, bythe application and wiping off of pigments from the surface of theimpression sheet 4, is practiced.

Obviously, as the adhesive coating 7 dries, the design including theWrinkles or rugae 12 are permanently preserved.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completelysatisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects, and while Ihave shown and described a preferred embodiment, I wish it to bespecifically understood that the same is capable of modification withoutdeparture from the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

The process of embossing flexible sheet material to create theimpression of antiquity, said process consisting of the steps of (a)providing an embossing die having design-forming ribs with flat surfacesbetween said ribs,

(b) forming an impression sheet by applying fluid adhesive between a plyof relatively thin metal foil and a ply of paper backing materialwhichpermits sliding movement between the plies and (c) finally forcing saidimpression sheet with the layer of metal foil in direct engagement withsaid embossing die by applying pressure by a generally flat compressiblepad element having a working face at least as great as that of said dieand while said adhesive is in a semi-plastic state.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,983,520 12/34Charch et al 161-223 2,027,296 1/36 Stuart et al 161-113 2,043,809 6/36Papp 161-116 2,205,466 6/40 Caprio et a1 156-219 2,354,005 7/44 Flowers113-44 2,422,883 6/ 47 Bruderlin 113-44 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,095,580 12/54France.

EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner.

